This paper aims to clarify the determinant factors of customer behavior for selecting agricultural brand. For this purpose, we analyzed the Chiiki Brand Senryaku Survey 2013, which shows consumer evaluation for many agricultural brands, based on the theoretical model demonstrated by Keller (2001). This model shows that brand building tools construct consumer knowledge effects and that consumer knowledge effects construct branding benefits. At this point, consumer knowledge effects and branding benefits have endogeneity, and so we used the method of instrumental variables to analyze them. The Chiiki Brand Senryaku Survey 2013 shows only the percentage data for many brands such as brand awareness, and so we set one brand as one sample. Moreover, in order to avoid multicollinearity, we used the difference in data between 2010 and 2012.

The results are as follows. First, some brand building tools such as TV shows, local specialty shops, and winning prizes at contests have positive effects for consumer knowledge effects. Second, consumer knowledge effects such as brand awareness and brand associations have positive effects for brand benefits. We clarify that the model demonstrated by Keller (2001) is effective for agricultural brands.

This paper investigates factors that contributed to an increase in the number of visitors to restaurants located around TOKYO SKYTREE, the city’s tallest terrestrial broadcasting tower, which has attracted many visitors since it opened in 2011. Nevertheless, there have been few studies on factors that draw more visitors to local restaurants located around the tower. Thus, this paper quantitatively evaluates these factors using a rank logit model that explicitly considers distance from the tower based on a questionnaire survey of local restaurant owners, conducted by the authors. The sample size was 45. The results reveal that the quality of provided food was essential for attracting new customers while distance from SKYTREE was important for attracting foreigners. Common managerial factors such as the presence of English-speaking staff, availability of menus in English, and using social media for self-promotion were statistically significant contributors to increasing visitors.

Recently, the production and distribution situation of sake-brewing rice has been changing due to the trend toward quality-oriented sake-brewing and the liberalization of rice distribution. In this study, we first explain the actual situation of sake-brewing rice production and distribution. We then focus on the conventional systematic distribution by the federation of agricultural cooperatives and increase in other commercial distributions. Second, we introduce the case of well-established production center in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. In this case, farmers produce Yamada-Nishiki, the most popular sake-brewing rice, supported by Hyogomirai Agricultural Cooperative. Based on this case, we discuss development factors of the production center from the viewpoint of the cooperative’s contribution. Finally, we clarify challenges of the production center and its cooperatives for continuous development. We then suggest the importance of stabilizing the center’s production and distribution.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the current and future status of farmland consolidation for rice paddy field farms, using the case of “canyon-type hilly and mountainous areas.” In the study area, small-sized paddy fields expand across long and narrow areas along mountain streams and straddle many water systems, given the expanded scale of farming. Because of the farmers’ increasing burdens for water management and weeding on the ridges between paddy fields, there is a limit to the scale expansion by debt. On the other hand, if the farmers specialize in the consignment of machine operation, an operation on a scale of 20–30 ha is possible, and high income can be expected. It is desired to organize residents who can weed on the ridge and manage water by utilizing subsidies so that core farmers can specialize in machine operation.

The paper discusses how genetically-modified (GM) seeds containing patents affect benefits for bio-majors (large seed corporations) and farmers based on interviews with actors in the GM seed supply system. The first analysis indicated the importance of the patents system for bio-majors to recover investments when farmers replant bio-majors’ seeds. The second analysis, based on a field study, revealed that seed suppliers in the GM seed system can enhance the benefits for bio-majors and of farmers who purchase GM seeds in the market. In conclusion, the role of seed dealers is indispensable in achieving the optimum resource allocation, to maintain the beneficial patent system for bio-majors and farmers.

The purpose of our study is to measure the potential volume of electricity and the profitability of wind power generation using all of the abandoned agricultural land in Hokkaido. We conduct a cost-benefit analysis of investments in wind power generation facilities based on the Feed-in Tariff scheme. Our results suggest the return on investments in wind power generation facilities was lower than the total investment cost.

This study measured the Malmquist index, technical efficiency, and technological change related to the production of soybeans in an area of Japan and examined whether productivity converged in each area. The speed of the convergence was also measured. The Malmquist index measurement showed that Hokkaido was stable, but production in other areas was greatly unstable. Using five kinds of panel unit root tests, it was revealed that convergence occurred in every area according to all indexes. In other words, it was suggested that each area converged depending on the production environment.

This study aims to elucidate how Landfrauenverband (LFV) manages their programs for the members and is governed in maintaining the conditions of rural areas. This study also focuses on LFV at the Gemeinde level based on community governance theory and corporate governance theory. The conclusions can be derived from two perspectives: management and governance. For management, LFV runs their programs and motivates members by determining officials’ posts regardless of seniority and organizing members as a support group for implementing the programs. Furthermore, LFV designs and offers appropriate programs for easy participation for diverse members. As for governance, LFV ensures appropriate programs based on hierarchical governance consisting of several levels of work to adjust for the programs. National-level LFV leads the design of the programs; this system maintains integration between the national and local levels. Finally, dedicated discussion among the members can work to enhance governance.

This paper investigates the current status of slotting allowances in the retail industry in China and the countermeasures of suppliers. The results of surveys of “Company R,” a major food retailer, and “Company C,” a food company, show that slotting allowances are often at a flexible rate. These slotting allowances allow retailers to cover their costs and help retailers to find better suppliers. However, the slotting allowances are relatively high for most suppliers such that some even find it difficult to make a profit. Therefore, “Company C” adopts its own pricing strategy and sales strategy to adapt to the retail market in China.